Monday, 29 June 2015

Firearms in Australia
are used for hunting & target shooting. Farmers & landholders have a
responsibility to eradicate feral animals on their land. Feral animals include:
goats, wild boar, rabbits, foxes, feral cats & feral dogs. The wild boar
here can grow to the size of a small family sedan & can be extremely
dangerous. Feral dogs usually exist in packs & can also be very dangerous.

Hand guns can not
legally be used for a back-up in hunting, you have to belong to a pistol club
in order to own a handgun, & this gun can only be used on a registered
pistol club range. Membership is usually expensive.

Semi-auto firearms
& pump actions are banned.Legal reasons for owning any other firearm are:
Membership to a gun club, permission to hunt on private land, or a collector.
Without proof of these you can not get a licence.

Muzzle-loading guns
are treated the same as breach-loading firearms & are subject to licensing,
permit to purchase, & registration. If you intend to use a muzzle-loading
arm for re-enactment, then you need a special permit on top of your licence.

Antique muzzle-loading
guns including pistols can be purchased & owned without a licence, permit
to purchase, or registration, but you are NOT allowed to shoot them.

All firearms are
subject to safe keeping, i.e. must be kept in an approved type of gun safe at
all times when not in use. Hand guns must be secured in a pistol safe. This
also applies to antique guns.

Legal gun owners are
subject to regular checks in their homes by police officers. Many if not most
of these officers know very little about any firearms other than their own
service weapons. This can & does cause problems as I have experienced
myself. Even after explaining & demonstrating to a police sergeant the
difference between a muzzle-loader & a breach-loader, & showing the
difference between antiques & reproductions, I was still required to spend
time & money getting a registered gunsmith to identify my firearms.

Basically here in
Australia the legal licensed firearms owner is penalised through firearms
registration. We are seen as being the problem where gun crime & violence
is concerned. Black market firearms from overseas are payed little attention
compared to the lengths they will go to make it hard for honest citizens to
acquire & keep their guns.

Firearms legislation
is not uniform Australia wide, each state having it’s own regulations. This
makes it very difficult for legal gun owners to interact with interstate group
shoots & difficult for interstate hunters. What is legal in one state, may
not be legal in another state.

In Australia we have
two factions whose agenda is to remove all firearms from law abiding citizens;
the Australian police service & the anti-gun lobby. The latter are very
strong in Australia & include, but are not restricted to, animal rights
groups, & the Greens political party.

We have only one
major firearms association in Australia, the Sporting Shooters Association of
Australia (S.S.A.A.). This association could do a lot more for it’s members,
but it is too deep in self-interest & hand kissing the government.
Basically the S.S.A.A is, in my opinion, in it for itself.Keith.

Thursday, 18 June 2015

It is vitally important to all Australians that we all join & back the Velvet Revolution, which is taking place in all major cities in Australia on the 10/7/2015. The Australian Government is illegal & corrupt, & is trying to block Velvet Revolution posts to the media on Facebook. PLEASE go to the link below & share widely & if you can attend the revolution rallies in the major cities & towns, please do so.Thank you.Regards, Keith.

Sunday, 14 June 2015

I have seen many explain how to hold and swing the axe but never have explained so precisely where to hit the wood for the best results. Your tutorial is greatly appreciated and the information used. Thank you!﻿

Friday, 12 June 2015

It was their usual manner to remove, when
they had done any mischief, lest they should be found out; and so they did at
this time. We went about three or four miles, and there they built a great
wigwam, big enough to hold an hundred Indians, which they did in preparation to
a great day of dancing. They would say now amongst themselves, that the
governor would be so angry for his loss at Sudbury, that he would send no more
about the captives, which made me grieve and tremble. My sister being not far
from the place where we now were, and hearing that I was here, desired her
master to let her come and see me, and he was willing to it, and would go with
her; but she being ready before him, told him she would go before, and was come
within a mile or two of the place. Then he overtook her, and began to rant as
if he had been mad, and made her go back again in the rain; so that I never saw
her till I saw her in Charlestown. But the Lord requited many of their ill
doings, for this Indian her master, was hanged afterward at Boston. The Indians
now began to come from all quarters, against their merry dancing day. Among
some of them came one goodwife Kettle. I told her my heart was so heavy that it
was ready to break. "So is mine too," said she, but yet said, "I
hope we shall hear some good news shortly." I could hear how earnestly my
sister desired to see me, and I as earnestly desired to see her; and yet
neither of us could get an opportunity. My daughter was also now about a mile
off, and I had not seen her in nine or ten weeks, as I had not seen my sister
since our first taking. I earnestly desired them to let me go and see them: yea,
I entreated, begged, and persuaded them, but to let me see my daughter; and yet
so hard-hearted were they, that they would not suffer it. They made use of
their tyrannical power whilst they had it; but through the Lord's wonderful
mercy, their time was now but short.

On a Sabbath day, the sun being about an
hour high in the afternoon, came Mr. John Hoar (the council permitting him, and
his own foreward spirit inclining him), together with the two forementioned
Indians, Tom and Peter, with their third letter from the council. When they
came near, I was abroad. Though I saw them not, they presently called me in,
and bade me sit down and not stir. Then they catched up their guns, and away
they ran, as if an enemy had been at hand, and the guns went off apace. I
manifested some great trouble, and they asked me what was the matter? I told
them I thought they had killed the Englishman (for they had in the meantime
informed me that an Englishman was come). They said, no. They shot over his
horse and under and before his horse, and they pushed him this way and that
way, at their pleasure, showing what they could do. Then they let them come to
their wigwams. I begged of them to let me see the Englishman, but they would
not. But there was I fain to sit their pleasure. When they had talked their
fill with him, they suffered me to go to him. We asked each other of our
welfare, and how my husband did, and all my friends? He told me they were all
well, and would be glad to see me. Amongst other things which my husband sent
me, there came a pound of tobacco, which I sold for nine shillings in money;
for many of the Indians for want of tobacco, smoked hemlock, and ground ivy. It
was a great mistake in any, who thought I sent for tobacco; for through the
favor of God, that desire was overcome. I now asked them whether I should go
home with Mr. Hoar? They answered no, one and another of them, and it being
night, we lay down with that answer. In the morning Mr. Hoar invited the
Sagamores to dinner; but when we went to get it ready we found that they had
stolen the greatest part of the provision Mr. Hoar had brought, out of his
bags, in the night. And we may see the wonderful power of God, in that one
passage, in that when there was such a great number of the Indians together, and
so greedy of a little good food, and no English there but Mr. Hoar and myself,
that there they did not knock us in the head, and take what we had, there being
not only some provision, but also trading-cloth, a part of the twenty pounds
agreed upon. But instead of doing us any mischief, they seemed to be ashamed of
the fact, and said, it were some matchit Indian that did it. Oh, that we could
believe that there is nothing too hard for God! God showed His power over the
heathen in this, as He did over the hungry lions when Daniel was cast into the
den. Mr. Hoar called them betime to dinner, but they ate very little, they
being so busy in dressing themselves, and getting ready for their dance, which
was carried on by eight of them, four men and four squaws. My master and
mistress being two. He was dressed in his holland shirt, with great laces sewed
at the tail of it; he had his silver buttons, his white stockings, his garters
were hung round with shillings, and he had girdles of wampum upon his head and
shoulders. She had a kersey coat, and covered with girdles of wampum from the
loins upward. Her arms from her elbows to her hands were covered with
bracelets; there were handfuls of necklaces about her neck, and several sorts
of jewels in her ears. She had fine red stockings, and white shoes, her hair
powdered and face painted red, that was always before black. And all the
dancers were after the same manner. There were two others singing and knocking
on a kettle for their music. They kept hopping up and down one after another,
with a kettle of water in the midst, standing warm upon some embers, to drink
of when they were dry. They held on till it was almost night, throwing out
wampum to the standers by. At night I asked them again, if I should go home?
They all as one said no, except my husband would come for me. When we were lain
down, my master went out of the wigwam, and by and by sent in an Indian called
James the Printer, who told Mr. Hoar, that my master would let me go home
tomorrow, if he would let him have one pint of liquors. Then Mr. Hoar called
his own Indians, Tom and Peter, and bid them go and see whether he would
promise it before them three; and if he would, he should have it; which he did,
and he had it. Then Philip smelling the business called me to him, and asked me
what I would give him, to tell me some good news, and speak a good word for me.
I told him I could not tell what to give him. I would [give him] anything I
had, and asked him what he would have? He said two coats and twenty shillings in
money, and half a bushel of seed corn, and some tobacco. I thanked him for his
love; but I knew the good news as well as the crafty fox. My master after he
had had his drink, quickly came ranting into the wigwam again, and called for
Mr. Hoar, drinking to him, and saying, he was a good man, and then again he
would say, "hang him rogue." Being almost drunk, he would drink to
him, and yet presently say he should be hanged. Then he called for me. I
trembled to hear him, yet I was fain to go to him, and he drank to me, showing
no incivility. He was the first Indian I saw drunk all the while that I was
amongst them. At last his squaw ran out, and he after her, round the wigwam,
with his money jingling at his knees. But she escaped him. But having an old
squaw he ran to her; and so through the Lord's mercy, we were no more troubled
that night. Yet I had not a comfortable night's rest; for I think I can say, I
did not sleep for three nights together. The night before the letter came from
the council, I could not rest, I was so full of fears and troubles, God many
times leaving us most in the dark, when deliverance is nearest. Yea, at this
time I could not rest night nor day. The next night I was overjoyed, Mr. Hoar
being come, and that with such good tidings. The third night I was even
swallowed up with the thoughts of things, viz. that ever I should go home
again; and that I must go, leaving my children behind me in the wilderness; so
that sleep was now almost departed from mine eyes.

On Tuesday morning they called their
general court (as they call it) to consult and determine, whether I should go
home or no. And they all as one man did seemingly consent to it, that I should
go home; except Philip, who would not come among them.

But before I go any further, I would take
leave to mention a few remarkable passages of providence, which I took special
notice of in my afflicted time.

1. Of the fair opportunity lost in the
long march, a little after the fort fight, when our English army was so
numerous, and in pursuit of the enemy, and so near as to take several and
destroy them, and the enemy in such distress for food that our men might track
them by their rooting in the earth for ground nuts, whilst they were flying for
their lives. I say, that then our army should want provision, and be forced to
leave their pursuit and return homeward; and the very next week the enemy came
upon our town, like bears bereft of their whelps, or so many ravenous wolves,
rending us and our lambs to death. But what shall I say? God seemed to leave
his People to themselves, and order all things for His own holy ends. Shall
there be evil in the City and the Lord hath not done it? They are not grieved
for the affliction of Joseph, therefore shall they go captive, with the first
that go captive. It is the Lord's doing, and it should be marvelous in our
eyes.

2. I cannot but remember how the Indians
derided the slowness, and dullness of the English army, in its setting out. For
after the desolations at Lancaster and Medfield, as I went along with them,
they asked me when I thought the English army would come after them? I told
them I could not tell. "It may be they will come in May," said they.
Thus did they scoff at us, as if the English would be a quarter of a year
getting ready.

3. Which also I have hinted before, when
the English army with new supplies were sent forth to pursue after the enemy,
and they understanding it, fled before them till they came to Banquang river,
where they forthwith went over safely; that that river should be impassable to
the English. I can but admire to see the wonderful providence of God in
preserving the heathen for further affliction to our poor country. They could
go in great numbers over, but the English must stop. God had an over-ruling
hand in all those things.

4. It was thought, if their corn were cut
down, they would starve and die with hunger, and all their corn that could be
found, was destroyed, and they driven from that little they had in store, into
the woods in the midst of winter; and yet how to admiration did the Lord
preserve them for His holy ends, and the destruction of many still amongst the
English! strangely did the Lord provide for them; that I did not see (all the
time I was among them) one man, woman, or child, die with hunger.

Though many times they would eat that,
that a hog or a dog would hardly touch; yet by that God strengthened them to be
a scourge to His people.

The chief and commonest food was ground
nuts. They eat also nuts and acorns, artichokes, lilly roots, ground beans, and
several other weeds and roots, that I know not.

They would pick up old bones, and cut them
to pieces at the joints, and if they were full of worms and maggots, they would
scald them over the fire to make the vermine come out, and then boil them, and
drink up the liquor, and then beat the great ends of them in a mortar, and so
eat them. They would eat horse's guts, and ears, and all sorts of wild birds
which they could catch; also bear, venison, beaver, tortoise, frogs, squirrels,
dogs, skunks, rattlesnakes; yea, the very bark of trees; besides all sorts of
creatures, and provision which they plundered from the English. I can but stand
in admiration to see the wonderful power of God in providing for such a vast
number of our enemies in the wilderness, where there was nothing to be seen,
but from hand to mouth. Many times in a morning, the generality of them would
eat up all they had, and yet have some further supply against they wanted. It
is said, "Oh, that my People had hearkened to me, and Israel had walked in
my ways, I should soon have subdued their Enemies, and turned my hand against
their Adversaries" (Psalm 81.13-14). But now our perverse and evil
carriages in the sight of the Lord, have so offended Him, that instead of
turning His hand against them, the Lord feeds and nourishes them up to be a
scourge to the whole land.

5. Another thing that I would observe is
the strange providence of God, in turning things about when the Indians was at
the highest, and the English at the lowest. I was with the enemy eleven weeks and
five days, and not one week passed without the fury of the enemy, and some
desolation by fire and sword upon one place or other. They mourned (with their
black faces) for their own losses, yet triumphed and rejoiced in their
inhumane, and many times devilish cruelty to the English. They would boast much
of their victories; saying that in two hours time they had destroyed such a
captain and his company at such a place; and boast how many towns they had
destroyed, and then scoff, and say they had done them a good turn to send them
to Heaven so soon. Again, they would say this summer that they would knock all
the rogues in the head, or drive them into the sea, or make them fly the
country; thinking surely, Agag-like, "The bitterness of Death is past."
Now the heathen begins to think all is their own, and the poor Christians'
hopes to fail (as to man) and now their eyes are more to God, and their hearts
sigh heaven-ward; and to say in good earnest, "Help Lord, or we
perish." When the Lord had brought His people to this, that they saw no
help in anything but Himself; then He takes the quarrel into His own hand; and
though they had made a pit, in their own imaginations, as deep as hell for the
Christians that summer, yet the Lord hurled themselves into it. And the Lord
had not so many ways before to preserve them, but now He hath as many to
destroy them.

But to return again to my going home,
where we may see a remarkable change of providence. At first they were all
against it, except my husband would come for me, but afterwards they assented
to it, and seemed much to rejoice in it; some asked me to send them some bread,
others some tobacco, others shaking me by the hand, offering me a hood and
scarfe to ride in; not one moving hand or tongue against it. Thus hath the Lord
answered my poor desire, and the many earnest requests of others put up unto
God for me. In my travels an Indian came to me and told me, if I were willing,
he and his squaw would run away, and go home along with me. I told him no: I
was not willing to run away, but desired to wait God's time, that I might go
home quietly, and without fear. And now God hath granted me my desire. O the
wonderful power of God that I have seen, and the experience that I have had. I
have been in the midst of those roaring lions, and savage bears, that feared
neither God, nor man, nor the devil, by night and day, alone and in company,
sleeping all sorts together, and yet not one of them ever offered me the least
abuse of unchastity to me, in word or action. Though some are ready to say I
speak it for my own credit; but I speak it in the presence of God, and to His
Glory. God's power is as great now, and as sufficient to save, as when He
preserved Daniel in the lion's den; or the three children in the fiery furnace.
I may well say as his Psalm 107.12 "Oh give thanks unto the Lord for he is
good, for his mercy endureth for ever." Let the redeemed of the Lord say
so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy, especially that I should
come away in the midst of so many hundreds of enemies quietly and peaceably,
and not a dog moving his tongue. So I took my leave of them, and in coming
along my heart melted into tears, more than all the while I was with them, and
I was almost swallowed up with the thoughts that ever I should go home again.
About the sun going down, Mr. Hoar, and myself, and the two Indians came to
Lancaster, and a solemn sight it was to me. There had I lived many comfortable
years amongst my relations and neighbors, and now not one Christian to be seen,
nor one house left standing. We went on to a farmhouse that was yet standing,
where we lay all night, and a comfortable lodging we had, though nothing but
straw to lie on. The Lord preserved us in safety that night, and raised us up
again in the morning, and carried us along, that before noon, we came to
Concord. Now was I full of joy, and yet not without sorrow; joy to see such a
lovely sight, so many Christians together, and some of them my neighbors. There
I met with my brother, and my brother-in-law, who asked me, if I knew where his
wife was? Poor heart! he had helped to bury her, and knew it not. She being
shot down by the house was partly burnt, so that those who were at Boston at
the desolation of the town, and came back afterward, and buried the dead, did
not know her. Yet I was not without sorrow, to think how many were looking and
longing, and my own children amongst the rest, to enjoy that deliverance that I
had now received, and I did not know whether ever I should see them again.
Being recruited with food and raiment we went to Boston that day, where I met
with my dear husband, but the thoughts of our dear children, one being dead,
and the other we could not tell where, abated our comfort each to other. I was
not before so much hemmed in with the merciless and cruel heathen, but now as
much with pitiful, tender-hearted and compassionate Christians. In that poor,
and distressed, and beggarly condition I was received in; I was kindly
entertained in several houses. So much love I received from several (some of
whom I knew, and others I knew not) that I am not capable to declare it. But
the Lord knows them all by name. The Lord reward them sevenfold into their
bosoms of His spirituals, for their temporals. The twenty pounds, the price of
my redemption, was raised by some Boston gentlemen, and Mrs. Usher, whose
bounty and religious charity, I would not forget to make mention of. Then Mr.
Thomas Shepard of Charlestown received us into his house, where we continued
eleven weeks; and a father and mother they were to us. And many more
tender-hearted friends we met with in that place. We were now in the midst of
love, yet not without much and frequent heaviness of heart for our poor
children, and other relations, who were still in affliction. The week
following, after my coming in, the governor and council sent forth to the
Indians again; and that not without success; for they brought in my sister, and
goodwife Kettle. Their not knowing where our children were was a sore trial to
us still, and yet we were not without secret hopes that we should see them
again. That which was dead lay heavier upon my spirit, than those which were
alive and amongst the heathen: thinking how it suffered with its wounds, and I
was no way able to relieve it; and how it was buried by the heathen in the
wilderness from among all Christians. We were hurried up and down in our
thoughts, sometime we should hear a report that they were gone this way, and
sometimes that; and that they were come in, in this place or that. We kept
inquiring and listening to hear concerning them, but no certain news as yet.
About this time the council had ordered a day of public thanksgiving. Though I
thought I had still cause of mourning, and being unsettled in our minds, we
thought we would ride toward the eastward, to see if we could hear anything
concerning our children. And as we were riding along (God is the wise disposer
of all things) between Ipswich and Rowley we met with Mr. William Hubbard, who
told us that our son Joseph was come in to Major Waldron's, and another with
him, which was my sister's son. I asked him how he knew it? He said the major
himself told him so. So along we went till we came to Newbury; and their
minister being absent, they desired my husband to preach the thanksgiving for
them; but he was not willing to stay there that night, but would go over to
Salisbury, to hear further, and come again in the morning, which he did, and
preached there that day. At night, when he had done, one came and told him that
his daughter was come in at Providence. Here was mercy on both hands. Now hath
God fulfilled that precious Scripture which was such a comfort to me in my
distressed condition. When my heart was ready to sink into the earth (my
children being gone, I could not tell whither) and my knees trembling under me,
and I was walking through the valley of the shadow of death; then the Lord
brought, and now has fulfilled that reviving word unto me: "Thus saith the
Lord, Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears, for thy Work
shall be rewarded, saith the Lord, and they shall come again from the Land of
the Enemy." Now we were between them, the one on the east, and the other
on the west. Our son being nearest, we went to him first, to Portsmouth, where
we met with him, and with the Major also, who told us he had done what he
could, but could not redeem him under seven pounds, which the good people
thereabouts were pleased to pay. The Lord reward the major, and all the rest,
though unknown to me, for their labor of Love. My sister's son was redeemed for
four pounds, which the council gave order for the payment of. Having now
received one of our children, we hastened toward the other. Going back through
Newbury my husband preached there on the Sabbath day; for which they rewarded
him many fold.

On Monday we came to Charlestown, where we
heard that the governor of Rhode Island had sent over for our daughter, to take
care of her, being now within his jurisdiction; which should not pass without
our acknowledgments. But she being nearer Rehoboth than Rhode Island, Mr.
Newman went over, and took care of her and brought her to his own house. And
the goodness of God was admirable to us in our low estate, in that He raised up
passionate friends on every side to us, when we had nothing to recompense any for
their love. The Indians were now gone that way, that it was apprehended
dangerous to go to her. But the carts which carried provision to the English
army, being guarded, brought her with them to Dorchester, where we received her
safe. Blessed be the Lord for it, for great is His power, and He can do
whatsoever seemeth Him good. Her coming in was after this manner: she was
traveling one day with the Indians, with her basket at her back; the company of
Indians were got before her, and gone out of sight, all except one squaw; she
followed the squaw till night, and then both of them lay down, having nothing
over them but the heavens and under them but the earth. Thus she traveled three
days together, not knowing whither she was going; having nothing to eat or
drink but water, and green hirtle-berries. At last they came into Providence,
where she was kindly entertained by several of that town. The Indians often
said that I should never have her under twenty pounds. But now the Lord hath
brought her in upon free-cost, and given her to me the second time. The Lord
make us a blessing indeed, each to others. Now have I seen that Scripture also
fulfilled, "If any of thine be driven out to the outmost parts of heaven,
from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch
thee. And the Lord thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on
them which hate thee, which persecuted thee" (Deuteronomy 30.4-7). Thus
hath the Lord brought me and mine out of that horrible pit, and hath set us in
the midst of tender-hearted and compassionate Christians. It is the desire of
my soul that we may walk worthy of the mercies received, and which we are
receiving.

Our family being now gathered together
(those of us that were living), the South Church in Boston hired an house for
us. Then we removed from Mr. Shepard's, those cordial friends, and went to
Boston, where we continued about three-quarters of a year. Still the Lord went
along with us, and provided graciously for us. I thought it somewhat strange to
set up house-keeping with bare walls; but as Solomon says, "Money answers
all things" and that we had through the benevolence of Christian friends,
some in this town, and some in that, and others; and some from England; that in
a little time we might look, and see the house furnished with love. The Lord
hath been exceeding good to us in our low estate, in that when we had neither
house nor home, nor other necessaries, the Lord so moved the hearts of these
and those towards us, that we wanted neither food, nor raiment for ourselves or
ours: "There is a Friend which sticketh closer than a Brother"
(Proverbs 18.24). And how many such friends have we found, and now living
amongst? And truly such a friend have we found him to be unto us, in whose house
we lived, viz. Mr. James Whitcomb, a friend unto us near hand, and afar off.

I can remember the time when I used to
sleep quietly without workings in my thoughts, whole nights together, but now
it is other ways with me. When all are fast about me, and no eye open, but His
who ever waketh, my thoughts are upon things past, upon the awful dispensation
of the Lord towards us, upon His wonderful power and might, in carrying of us
through so many difficulties, in returning us in safety, and suffering none to
hurt us. I remember in the night season, how the other day I was in the midst
of thousands of enemies, and nothing but death before me. It is then hard work
to persuade myself, that ever I should be satisfied with bread again. But now
we are fed with the finest of the wheat, and, as I may say, with honey out of
the rock. Instead of the husk, we have the fatted calf. The thoughts of these
things in the particulars of them, and of the love and goodness of God towards
us, make it true of me, what David said of himself, "I watered my Couch
with my tears" (Psalm 6.6). Oh! the wonderful power of God that mine eyes
have seen, affording matter enough for my thoughts to run in, that when others
are sleeping mine eyes are weeping.

I have seen the extreme vanity of this
world: One hour I have been in health, and wealthy, wanting nothing. But the
next hour in sickness and wounds, and death, having nothing but sorrow and
affliction.

Before I knew what affliction meant, I was
ready sometimes to wish for it. When I lived in prosperity, having the comforts
of the world about me, my relations by me, my heart cheerful, and taking little
care for anything, and yet seeing many, whom I preferred before myself, under
many trials and afflictions, in sickness, weakness, poverty, losses, crosses,
and cares of the world, I should be sometimes jealous least I should have my
portion in this life, and that Scripture would come to my mind, "For whom
the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth"
(Hebrews 12.6). But now I see the Lord had His time to scourge and chasten me.
The portion of some is to have their afflictions by drops, now one drop and
then another; but the dregs of the cup, the wine of astonishment, like a
sweeping rain that leaveth no food, did the Lord prepare to be my portion.
Affliction I wanted, and affliction I had, full measure (I thought), pressed
down and running over. Yet I see, when God calls a person to anything, and
through never so many difficulties, yet He is fully able to carry them through
and make them see, and say they have been gainers thereby. And I hope I can say
in some measure, as David did, "It is good for me that I have been
afflicted." The Lord hath showed me the vanity of these outward things.
That they are the vanity of vanities, and vexation of spirit, that they are but
a shadow, a blast, a bubble, and things of no continuance. That we must rely on
God Himself, and our whole dependance must be upon Him. If trouble from smaller
matters begin to arise in me, I have something at hand to check myself with,
and say, why am I troubled? It was but the other day that if I had had the
world, I would have given it for my freedom, or to have been a servant to a
Christian. I have learned to look beyond present and smaller troubles, and to
be quieted under them. As Moses said, "Stand still and see the salvation
of the Lord" (Exodus 14.13).

They said, when we went out, that we must
travel to Wachusett this day. But a bitter weary day I had of it, traveling now
three days together, without resting any day between. At last, after many weary
steps, I saw Wachusett hills, but many miles off. Then we came to a great
swamp, through which we traveled, up to the knees in mud and water, which was
heavy going to one tired before. Being almost spent, I thought I should have
sunk down at last, and never got out; but I may say, as in Psalm 94.18,
"When my foot slipped, thy mercy, O Lord, held me up." Going along,
having indeed my life, but little spirit, Philip, who was in the company, came
up and took me by the hand, and said, two weeks more and you shall be mistress
again. I asked him, if he spake true? He answered, "Yes, and quickly you
shall come to your master again; who had been gone from us three weeks."
After many weary steps we came to Wachusett, where he was: and glad I was to
see him. He asked me, when I washed me? I told him not this month. Then he
fetched me some water himself, and bid me wash, and gave me the glass to see
how I looked; and bid his squaw give me something to eat. So she gave me a mess
of beans and meat, and a little ground nut cake. I was wonderfully revived with
this favor showed me: "He made them also to be pitied of all those that
carried them captives" (Psalm 106.46).

My master had three squaws, living
sometimes with one, and sometimes with another one, this old squaw, at whose
wigwam I was, and with whom my master had been those three weeks. Another was
Wattimore [Weetamoo] with whom I had lived and served all this while. A severe
and proud dame she was, bestowing every day in dressing herself neat as much
time as any of the gentry of the land: powdering her hair, and painting her
face, going with necklaces, with jewels in her ears, and bracelets upon her
hands. When she had dressed herself, her work was to make girdles of wampum and
beads. The third squaw was a younger one, by whom he had two papooses. By the
time I was refreshed by the old squaw, with whom my master was, Weetamoo's maid
came to call me home, at which I fell aweeping. Then the old squaw told me, to
encourage me, that if I wanted victuals, I should come to her, and that I
should lie there in her wigwam. Then I went with the maid, and quickly came
again and lodged there. The squaw laid a mat under me, and a good rug over me;
the first time I had any such kindness showed me. I understood that Weetamoo
thought that if she should let me go and serve with the old squaw, she would be
in danger to lose not only my service, but the redemption pay also. And I was
not a little glad to hear this; being by it raised in my hopes, that in God's
due time there would be an end of this sorrowful hour. Then came an Indian, and
asked me to knit him three pair of stockings, for which I had a hat, and a silk
handkerchief. Then another asked me to make her a shift, for which she gave me
an apron.

Then came Tom and Peter, with the second
letter from the council, about the captives. Though they were Indians, I got
them by the hand, and burst out into tears. My heart was so full that I could
not speak to them; but recovering myself, I asked them how my husband did, and
all my friends and acquaintance? They said, "They are all very well but
melancholy." They brought me two biscuits, and a pound of tobacco. The
tobacco I quickly gave away. When it was all gone, one asked me to give him a
pipe of tobacco. I told him it was all gone. Then began he to rant and
threaten. I told him when my husband came I would give him some. Hang him rogue
(says he) I will knock out his brains, if he comes here. And then again, in the
same breath they would say that if there should come an hundred without guns,
they would do them no hurt. So unstable and like madmen they were. So that
fearing the worst, I durst not send to my husband, though there were some
thoughts of his coming to redeem and fetch me, not knowing what might follow. For
there was little more trust to them than to the master they served. When the
letter was come, the Sagamores met to consult about the captives, and called me
to them to inquire how much my husband would give to redeem me. When I came I
sat down among them, as I was wont to do, as their manner is. Then they bade me
stand up, and said they were the General Court. They bid me speak what I
thought he would give. Now knowing that all we had was destroyed by the
Indians, I was in a great strait. I thought if I should speak of but a little
it would be slighted, and hinder the matter; if of a great sum, I knew not
where it would be procured. Yet at a venture I said "Twenty pounds,"
yet desired them to take less. But they would not hear of that, but sent that
message to Boston, that for twenty pounds I should be redeemed. It was a
Praying Indian that wrote their letter for them. There was another Praying
Indian, who told me, that he had a brother, that would not eat horse; his
conscience was so tender and scrupulous (though as large as hell, for the
destruction of poor Christians). Then he said, he read that Scripture to him,
"There was a famine in Samaria, and behold they besieged it, until an
ass's head was sold for four-score pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a
cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver" (2 Kings 6.25). He expounded
this place to his brother, and showed him that it was lawful to eat that in a
famine which is not at another time. And now, says he, he will eat horse with
any Indian of them all. There was another Praying Indian, who when he had done
all the mischief that he could, betrayed his own father into the English hands,
thereby to purchase his own life. Another Praying Indian was at Sudbury fight,
though, as he deserved, he was afterward hanged for it. There was another
Praying Indian, so wicked and cruel, as to wear a string about his neck, strung
with Christians' fingers. Another Praying Indian, when they went to Sudbury
fight, went with them, and his squaw also with him, with her papoose at her
back. Before they went to that fight they got a company together to pow-wow.
The manner was as followeth: there was one that kneeled upon a deerskin, with
the company round him in a ring who kneeled, and striking upon the ground with
their hands, and with sticks, and muttering or humming with their mouths.
Besides him who kneeled in the ring, there also stood one with a gun in his
hand. Then he on the deerskin made a speech, and all manifested assent to it;
and so they did many times together. Then they bade him with the gun go out of
the ring, which he did. But when he was out, they called him in again; but he
seemed to make a stand; then they called the more earnestly, till he returned
again. Then they all sang. Then they gave him two guns, in either hand one. And
so he on the deerskin began again; and at the end of every sentence in his
speaking, they all assented, humming or muttering with their mouths, and
striking upon the ground with their hands. Then they bade him with the two guns
go out of the ring again; which he did, a little way. Then they called him in
again, but he made a stand. So they called him with greater earnestness; but he
stood reeling and wavering as if he knew not whither he should stand or fall,
or which way to go. Then they called him with exceeding great vehemency, all of
them, one and another. After a little while he turned in, staggering as he
went, with his arms stretched out, in either hand a gun. As soon as he came in
they all sang and rejoiced exceedingly a while. And then he upon the deerskin,
made another speech unto which they all assented in a rejoicing manner. And so
they ended their business, and forthwith went to Sudbury fight. To my thinking
they went without any scruple, but that they should prosper, and gain the
victory. And they went out not so rejoicing, but they came home with as great a
victory. For they said they had killed two captains and almost an hundred men.
One Englishman they brought along with them: and he said, it was too true, for
they had made sad work at Sudbury, as indeed it proved. Yet they came home
without that rejoicing and triumphing over their victory which they were wont
to show at other times; but rather like dogs (as they say) which have lost
their ears. Yet I could not perceive that it was for their own loss of men.
They said they had not lost above five or six; and I missed none, except in one
wigwam. When they went, they acted as if the devil had told them that they
should gain the victory; and now they acted as if the devil had told them they
should have a fall. Whither it were so or no, I cannot tell, but so it proved,
for quickly they began to fall, and so held on that summer, till they came to
utter ruin. They came home on a Sabbath day, and the Powaw that kneeled upon
the deer-skin came home (I may say, without abuse) as black as the devil. When
my master came home, he came to me and bid me make a shirt for his papoose, of
a holland-laced pillowbere. About that time there came an Indian to me and bid
me come to his wigwam at night, and he would give me some pork and ground nuts.
Which I did, and as I was eating, another Indian said to me, he seems to be
your good friend, but he killed two Englishmen at Sudbury, and there lie their
clothes behind you: I looked behind me, and there I saw bloody clothes, with
bullet-holes in them. Yet the Lord suffered not this wretch to do me any hurt.
Yea, instead of that, he many times refreshed me; five or six times did he and
his squaw refresh my feeble carcass. If I went to their wigwam at any time,
they would always give me something, and yet they were strangers that I never
saw before. Another squaw gave me a piece of fresh pork, and a little salt with
it, and lent me her pan to fry it in; and I cannot but remember what a sweet,
pleasant and delightful relish that bit had to me, to this day. So little do we
prize common mercies when we have them to the full.

A comfortable remove it was to me, because
of my hopes. They gave me a pack, and along we went cheerfully; but quickly my
will proved more than my strength; having little or no refreshing, my strength
failed me, and my spirits were almost quite gone. Now may I say with David
"I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. I am gone like
the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down like the locust; my knees
are weak through fasting, and my flesh faileth of fatness" (Psalm
119.22-24). At night we came to an Indian town, and the Indians sat down by a
wigwam discoursing, but I was almost spent, and could scarce speak. I laid down
my load, and went into the wigwam, and there sat an Indian boiling of horses
feet (they being wont to eat the flesh first, and when the feet were old and
dried, and they had nothing else, they would cut off the feet and use them). I
asked him to give me a little of his broth, or water they were boiling in; he
took a dish, and gave me one spoonful of samp, and bid me take as much of the
broth as I would. Then I put some of the hot water to the samp, and drank it
up, and my spirit came again. He gave me also a piece of the ruff or ridding of
the small guts, and I broiled it on the coals; and now may I say with Jonathan,
"See, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a
little of this honey" (1 Samuel 14.29). Now is my spirit revived again;
though means be never so inconsiderable, yet if the Lord bestow His blessing
upon them, they shall refresh both soul and body.

THE
EIGHTEENTH REMOVE

We took up our packs and along we went,
but a wearisome day I had of it. As we went along I saw an Englishman stripped
naked, and lying dead upon the ground, but knew not who it was. Then we came to
another Indian town, where we stayed all night. In this town there were four
English children, captives; and one of them my own sister's. I went to see how
she did, and she was well, considering her captive condition. I would have
tarried that night with her, but they that owned her would not suffer it. Then
I went into another wigwam, where they were boiling corn and beans, which was a
lovely sight to see, but I could not get a taste thereof. Then I went to
another wigwam, where there were two of the English children; the squaw was
boiling horses feet; then she cut me off a little piece, and gave one of the
English children a piece also. Being very hungry I had quickly eat up mine, but
the child could not bite it, it was so tough and sinewy, but lay sucking,
gnawing, chewing and slabbering of it in the mouth and hand. Then I took it of
the child, and eat it myself, and savory it was to my taste. Then I may say as
Job 6.7, "The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful
meat." Thus the Lord made that pleasant refreshing, which another time
would have been an abomination. Then I went home to my mistress's wigwam; and
they told me I disgraced my master with begging, and if I did so any more, they
would knock me in the head. I told them, they had as good knock me in head as
starve me to death.

This type of firearm was generally used to protect graves from grave robbers in the 18th century. These grave robbers worked at night so as not to be seen, but this also meant that they may not see these guns mounted on a grave, & would probably not see the trip wires. Several trip wires could be fitted to the trigger mechanism, running in different directions. This not only covered a wide area, but it also meant that any one of these wires could swivel the gun in the direction of the intruder.

Wednesday, 3 June 2015

It is usually the case that the book is always better than the movie, but having read the book, I can only hope that the movie is better than the publication. J.M. Falkner was certainly no historian, nor was he a researcher & he obviously knew very little about the 18th century. Common sense could have guided him to produce a better book, but obviously he lacks common sense as well. Even if this was written as a children's book, I really think that it should be the writer's duty to write a sensible story with historical facts.I do not recommend this book, & only hope that I can later recommend the movie. This is one time when straying from the book story may actually improve the movie.Keith.

Google+ Followers

Archived

Settlers.

"I noticed particularly, one family of about 12 in number. The mancarried an axe and a gun on his shoulders. The Wife, the rim of a spinningwheel in one hand, and a loaf of bread in the other. Several little boys andgirls, each with a bundle, according to their size Two poor horses, eachheavily loaded with some poor necessities. On the top of the baggage of one,was an infant rocked to sleep in a kind of wicker cage, lashed securely to thehorse. A cow formed one of the company ,and she was destined to bear herproportion of service - a bed cord was wound around her horns and a bag of mealon her back. They were not only patient, but cheerful and pleased withthemselves with the expectation of seeing happy days beyond the mountains"Diary of Presbyterian Rev. David McClure.18th century.

What is Living History?

What is Living History?Living history makes history come to life. To do this members emulate different sorts of people from history. These can include blacksmiths, seamstresses, housewives, farmers, woodsmen and woodswomen. We wear the clothes of the time and learn and use the life and trade skills of the period.What period of history does the NECLHG re-enact ?Approximately 1680-1760 on the New World Frontier.Why this period of history and why a New World lifestyle and not Australian?The New World was settled much earlier than Australia and enables us to choose from a larger variety of nationalities, occupations and skills. All of these options make the activities more fun.Australian settlement was in a later period and founded on a penal colony. There are other re-enactment groups for people interested in the Australian colonial period.Is joining NECLHG expensive?No. There are no membership fees for the group. The activity is only as expensive as you want it to be! Many members make all their own period style clothing and equipment. This is an ideal activity for people who like to make things and be creative.What if there are some items I can not make myself or I am too busy to make?You always have the option of buying or trading for items. People who want to purchase their clothing and equipment can do so; there are many specialist suppliers. Also you can trade for items you can not make .Can my family join this group?Yes we are very family oriented.What is experimental archaeology?This is the term used when someone makes and uses a period tool or item. This can be anything from lighting a fire with a flint and steel to building and sailing a ship on an original route! It is the only way to really discover how things were done “back then”.What is historical trekking?This activity is trekking and camping in an historically accurate manner. People on a historical trek wear the clothing of the period and carry and use only the equipment used in that period. These treks are a great way to learn woods lore and survival skills.What sort of “period skills” can we learn and practice?You can learn and use any skill that was used in the period you reenact. For the mid-18th century these include spinning and weaving on a loom, finger weaving, tomahawk throwing, fire lighting, blade sharpening, leather making and leather working and much, much more.Is the NECLHG a gun club?No. Some on our members may carry a period gun on treks and camps as part of their persona. These guns are flintlock muzzle-loading antique guns or copies. The highest level of safely is maintained at all times. Guns are not carried loaded and all gun carrying members are licensed.What about women members?In the 18th century women performed many traditional and non traditional roles. There were women blacksmiths, naturalists, artists, and woods-women. Some accompanied militia on scouts . In the NECLHG a women can be what ever she wants to be!What about children.?Children are always welcome. Naturally children are the responsibility of their parents. Children really enjoy the living history activities and skills. It is a wonderful way to learn history and it makes their school based history a lot more meaningful. Also children can learn bush craft, survival skills and camping skills.